Mayoral election in Manchester to be held in November if residents vote in favour during May referendum

A mayoral election in Manchester will take place on November 15 if residents vote in favour of going to the polls in a referendum this spring. Cities minister Greg Clark was announcing the date – which is earlier than initially planned - in a speech today. It is the same date that residents of Greater Manchester will be asked to vote on a new police commissioner for the region.

A mayoral election in Manchester will take place on November 15 if residents vote in favour of going to the polls in a referendum this spring.

Cities minister Greg Clark was announcing the date – which is earlier than initially planned - in a speech today. It is the same date that residents of Greater Manchester will be asked to vote on a new police commissioner for the region.

People in 11 cities, including Manchester, will be asked in a referendum on May 3 whether they want a directly elected mayor. Those that vote yes will go to the polls to choose their new figurehead in November.

The government believes elected mayors can provide strong leadership and democratic accountability. Politicians locally are unhappy with the plans and would rather people are given the choice to elect a mayor for Greater Manchester, which would be more in keeping with governance arrangements in the area where many major policies are dictated across all ten local authorities, at city region level, rather than just for the city of Manchester.

Mr Clark said: "The world’s great cities have mayors who lead for their city on the national and international stage, attracting investment and jobs. We believe that mayors can help English cities achieve their full potential too.”

Powerful new police and crime commissioners, who will be elected in 41 force areas on the same day, will oversee police budgets and have the power to hire and fire the chief constables.